The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Updated youth sport guidelines amid pandemic
Besides the obvious physical benefits, youth sports provide social interaction that also provides a degree of mental health. Since most sports require close contact between athletes, the pandemic has created some challenges.
“Initially, there was a fear of transmission of COVID-19 among athletes, especially with the contact sports. That is why a lot of these sports were canceled or postponed. But fortunately, we have not seen a rapid spread amongst contact sports,” says Dr. Jennifer Maynard, a sports and family physician at Mayo Clinic.
According to Maynard, as the pandemic has gone on, statistics indicate that sports are not the issue. Rather, data indicate the spread of COVID-19 among athletes occurs not during sports participation, but from social contact, she says. And the rate of infection is proportional to the community rate.
Recently, the National Federation of State High School Associations revised its earlier “statement on risk of COVID-19 during high school sports.” The biggest change is that the federation
eliminated its tiered system that ranked the risk of infection by sport, says Maynard. The group instead shared findings that showed athletes playing contact sports and indoor sports are at a higher risk of illness when compared to noncontact sports or outdoor sports.
But certain factors can mitigate risk. “For instance, indoor sports can be similar risk to outdoor if you use a mask, for example, with basketball or volleyball,’ says Maynard.
Her top tips to parents, coaches, athletic trainers – and students themselves:
Stay on guard and continue with social distancing.
Universally wear a mask, especially in social situations where you cannot physically distance.
Practice proper hand hygiene and stay home when you’re sick.